Hatsun Agro

The story begins in 1970, not in a boardroom, but with a 21-year-old named R.G. Chandramogan who decided against continuing his education to start his own venture. With a small loan and capital from selling family property, he started an ice cream business in a 250-square-foot space in Chennai with just three employees and a few pushcarts. This humble operation was the first iteration of what would become a dairy empire. The brand was named Arun, and it targeted a market often overlooked by larger players: smaller towns. In 1986, Chandramogan formally established Hatsun Agro Product and made a pivotal decision to bypass middlemen and procure milk directly from farmers. This strategy ensured quality control and built a loyal network of suppliers, creating a sustainable ecosystem that benefited rural communities. This direct sourcing model became a key competitive advantage, allowing the company to scale efficiently. The company expanded its brand portfolio to include the popular Arokya Milk and other dairy products. The company went public in 1996, which provided the capital for further expansion. Over the decades, Hatsun grew to become India's largest private-sector dairy company, collecting milk from hundreds of thousands of farmers and exporting products to over 40 countries. Today, led by Chandramogan as Chairman and his son C. Sathyan as Managing Director, Hatsun Agro stands as a testament to building a business from the ground up through a deep understanding of the supply chain and a focus on underserved markets.